Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee and right eye disabilities due to insufficient examination results, lack of updated VA treatment records, and potential need for additional testing. The issues are being returned for further development.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as these issues are inextricably intertwined with the issue of entitlement to an increased rating for a lumbar spine disability. The TDIU issue is also remanded due to its connection to other remanded issues.

The Veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities are granted as service-connected.,Service connection for sleep apnea, right ankle disability, and left ankle disability is also granted.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions provided in March and August 2023 are inadequate to address all of the issues raised by the Veteran's representative. The Board is therefore remanding the case for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's cervical spine, bilateral knee, left shoulder, right ankle, and right ankle scar disabilities have been granted service connection.,Residuals from a head injury (including traumatic brain injury and headaches) and bilateral detached retinas are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 50 percent since July 21, 2015. The issue of a TDIU prior to September 1, 2016, is now moot due to the temporary 100 percent rating for his right knee replacement.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective from November 23, 2010 to February 25, 2011. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for chronic maxillary sinusitis is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and for increased ratings for his left and right ankle degenerative arthritis. The case is being remanded to provide additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of accurate measurement of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, specifically regarding his forward flexion range of motion. The Veteran and his representative requested a new examination to ensure proper evaluation.

The Board has denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine due to lack of evidence linking it to active service. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, left knee, and right hand disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left shoulder rotator cuff tear is aggravated by his service-connected partial left foot drop with left knee arthritis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder disability, including glenohumbral and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis due to a lack of an adverse credibility finding regarding his lay reports of an in-service injury. The case is now pending with further examination and review.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted a 70% disability rating from May 18, 2014 to August 18, 2023. The cervical spine degenerative arthritis and right upper extremity radiculopathy are both denied for the entire initial rating period.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lateral epicondylitis of the right elbow, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis have been granted.,Service connection has also been granted for bilateral pes planus and an upper back disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, has not met the criteria for a higher rating since June 30, 2013. The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s symptoms have not resulted in forward thoracolumbar flexion limited to 30 degrees or less or ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine.

The reduction of the rating for cirrhosis of the liver to include hepatitis C from 60 percent to 10 percent, effective July 1, 2021, was improper and the 60 percent rating is restored. The Board also found that there were issues with service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disability, and eye disability due to incomplete service treatment records.

The Veteran's GERD, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and right knee meniscal tear with osteoarthritis have been granted service connection. The effective date for the 50% rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis is set at October 2, 2014. The claim for a higher rating for the right knee remains pending.

The Veteran's GERD, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and right knee meniscal tear with osteoarthritis have been granted service connection. The effective date for the 50% rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis is set at October 2, 2014. The claim for a higher rating for the right knee remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected right knee condition, and thus grants service connection for this disability.